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No Drilling in the Arctic Refuge...For Now

(11/04/2003) - ANCHORAGE
, AK -- Lawmakers seeking to open the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge have failed once again to garner the votes they need. Language
opening the Refuge to oil and gas interests was dropped from the energy bill
after it became clear that its inclusion could jeopardize final passage. GOP
lawmakers sought to portray the remaining bill as a compromise, but
environmental groups maintained that the remaining bill largely reflects the
desires of the oil industry and would still be disastrous for the environment.

"We are pleased that
the Arctic Refuge has been given a reprieve, but we are still stuck with a
disastrous bill that guts many important environmental protections," said Rodger
Schlickeisen, President of Defenders of Wildlife. "In the
end, GOP lawmakers have crafted legislation that does more to line the pockets
of corporate oil executives than it does to address our energy needs. It is yet
another example of the priority the Bush Administration places on oil and gas
exploration at the expense of the environment."

"We are under no
illusion that the battle over the Arctic Refuge is won. We remain wary of back
door attempts to include provisions opening the Arctic Refuge to oil
exploration. This is the premier item on Big Oil’s wish list. Their supporters
in Congress are not likely to let the issue die,"added Schlickeisen.

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit
conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive
advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 450,000 members and
supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on environmental
issues. For timely information on environmental issues, visit www.defenders.org and subscribe to DENLines, a free e-mail alert
newsletter.

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Contact(s):

Brad DeVries, (202) 772-0237William Lutz, (202) 772-0269

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